Rattling on.........

I'm 36wks3days today and am feeling kinda lethargic. Dr Fong gave me 3 days medical leave which started yesteday and ends on thursday. Would be on 1 day leave on Fri to spend the weekend at Sentosa, celebrating our 5th year anniversary together - happily married and totally blissed with my husband, soul mate and best friend. He is the best you can ever pray ask or imagine. I simply adore him.

We have been separated for almost a month since we both came back to SG on 8Nov and he left on 12Nov (his birthday) and back tomorrow (Thank God!!) after his marathon trip to Seoul-HK-Seoul-Guangzhou in the last 3 weeks. Unbelievable schedule sometimes when I check out his itinerary. What to do, this man is absolutely passionate with his job. He loved his work and it totally consumes him when you get him talking about earth-moving equipment and construction machinery. Hydraulic system, machine performance and fuel efficiency, work tools and applications. Much as we both work for the same enterprise but I don't share the same fiery passion. Perhaps it makes a big difference in time tenure. He is 5yrs with the company and I am approaching my 2nd year in 5mths time. How time flies! But I really like working for CATERPILLAR. I have a sense of belonging and I felt like I am contributing to the success of the enterprise in my work. Especially since I am now working in Beijing together with Josh, there is this sense of accomplishment when you see how we help our dealers to streamline marketing and sales processes to better achieve sales performances in the china market where construction projects are heightening. Every part of china is booming with construction projects and i gave me great pride to see a piece of CAT equipment in the job site building towards a 'better tomorrow' in China. The sense of pride is indescrible. It is like a part of you is contributing to the social and economic progression of China, probably the largest or second largest country in the world with almost 1.5 billion people.

I enjoyed watching how Nadine move in my womb. She is rather active especially after a hot drink or a meal. It is almost like me sensing that she is 'absorbing' the food after my meals and enjoying hers! so weird and amazing but really I felt her savouring the food especially each time I enjoyed mine. Great to be back home where you've milk and sandwich served at breakfast time and hot dinner on the table.

Beijing is about -4 today.

Has been raining non-stop here in Singapore. It is not drizzle but real downpour!!! Wanted to go to Tampines Mall to shop for nadine's stuff but it is so heavy that it is impossible to step out without getting drenched. Maybe tomorrow would be a better day to do that.

Aussie Trip August 2007

About an hour drive to Brisbane GoldCoast. Couldn't take the rides for obvious reasons but we had a great time browsing the shops and I'd my first cup of decaf coffee!

Brisbane City where we catched Ms Saigon at the theatre for the evening.






















Bed & Breakfast at Hope manor, old Queenslander House. Marvellous choice! Colonial style room and Fantastic brekkie (as shown on picture), cold and warm breakfasts with at least 4 choices you can choose to have your eggs prepared - omelette, scrambled, poached and fried. Fresh juice, yoghurt and piping hot tea/coffee during cold winter. At Unbelievable price of A$100 per day!

Here is the photo Jo..

.













CAFE L'in Contro...brings back many good memories where me, jo, wei, vid and many others hang out whenever we are in Melbourne

Melbourne City : Flinders Street, Meyers, David Jones, Little Street...

The LEXUS we drove in Melbourne. Beautiful car and with the GPS facilities...that meant hassle free driving! Checkout the studio apartment we had in Melbourne. It is a separate facility from the main house. At A$100 per day, you get a fully furnished apartment (heated of course during winter) and well stocked up with touristy guide books, breakfast supplies of almost everything from jams, spreads, bread, fruit, sauces, bacon, eggs, milk,cereals, etc....for a change, we don't get served with the full cooked brekkie but we have everything we need to prepare one. Wonderful!

Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Museum

Good Review and all went well!

Except for some system and dashboard related issues, all are well. The training delivery in mandarin was great and review feedback from the sales reps, sales managers and marketing team were good.

So happy...so satisfied...sooooo thankful!

Praise God!

Park Apartment 天安豪园 or Central Park Tower 13 #26-02

Now I have another Option at park apartment after viewing Kristine's home about 2 Saturdays ago. I am not sure if that is a good option. 245sq-metres at USD 3,800 and above. Great space and 4bedroom. Gosh! I love the study room & all the exclusivity with the master bedroom and mini walk-in closet. Most of all....the kitchen is amazing! The dry and wet kitchen concept with tons of storage. Even a store area for keeping all the electrical appliances and all. Even a drying area almost like a balcony that is all mine! I could surely use all that space. But really, the price is steep considering what we are prepared to pay. One key minus - no amenities around. Closest supermarket is Jenny Lou which is at Lido, about 10mins walk. Seemed alright but when it comes to cold harsh winter, walking out for 10mins unsheltered & un-chauffeured is not child's play....i don't recommend that!

We've gotten Rosemary to help us source for a 3+1 in phase 3 central park vicinity. Keeping my fingers crossed and praying hard that I can get some really positive news. We viewed a couple of units and really 26-02 and 20-02 at Tower 13 are my favourites. Especially 26-02! Be with me in prayer for 26-02 :

1. Rental will be only at USD2,800 (max)
2. Owner is willing to wait for us until mid Feb to shift in and kickstart the tenancy contract
3. He will agree with us installing the hot bath unit in both washrooms
4. He will accede to all our requests in asking for more appliances and furnishing

We can't move out of my current unit until Feb for 2 reasons. My parents warned me against shifting now because i am pregnant. They freaked out BIG time when I tried to hint to them that that was our intent...so i rather not risk incurring their wrath, especially if my mother in law comes to know of it - dead meat. Anyhow, second reason is because my current tenancy agreement ends in Dec anyhow. So the earliest given all else...it will be in mid Feb before we could move physically. God has been very faithful in all our asking in prayers so I firmly trust that He will "reserve" 26-02 at tower 13 just for us!

I believe the Lord will work miracle!

Mediocrity or Excellence

I have been thinking a lot about this since I was preparing my training materials for CRM SFM Training with one of my china dealers next week in Shanghai.

What amazes me was how people actually spent enormous amount of effort to just NOT have that spirit of excellence. Not in a subsciously manner but extremely aware of the loopholes and areas of deficiency, they choose to be slipshod and almost oblivious to them in a very conscious manner.

It was almost like they had to delibrately avoid work, responsibility and ownership because to have an excellent spirit meant the contrary of course. Taking ownership, owning up to areas of responsibilities, being accountable and working hardly in essence. They choose to focus on the easy sloppy way of "that is how things have always been anyway so why rock the boat?!" Their "comfortable" boat most likely. The time and effort that has gone to do all that could have been better used to just get it done right & doing it well. Nonetheless, it is unarguable that it is easier typically to go with the flow. Truly, anything that is good is found upstream and not downstream. Interestingly, personal growth ( and thus challenge) takes place down under in the valley not at the mountain top. It is under the valley where you meet these "amazing people" that challenges your values, beliefs, standards and character.

I can be like them and be accepted as part of the team (yucks!) or I can choose to be absolutely different, be a sore thumb (irritate people very much at the beginning) and if I perserve...they will appreciate me (prayerfully and hopefully) at the end. Well I know the last part is just so true much as right now, I definitely don't feel appreciated but it doesn't matter. It is against my principle and most of all nature to be slipshod, sloppy and just average. I realise that the price to pay to have the spirit of excellence is popularity and human acceptance. Both of which are nice to have but it is not must have. People appreciate me for who I am not for what I can do "with" them. At least that is what I am telling myself now.

Yes, I will continue to modify my training slides until they are PERFECT! I am believing God for a wonderful training session next week in Shanghai and Kunshan with my audience of 60. Sales reps, sales managers, marketing folks and dealer management. It will be good. My first and last training since I'd be going on maternity leave in mid Dec.

Proverbs 22:29
Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown man

I want to stand before my greatest King, Jesus and be proud to say...I have always given my BEST.

New apartment?

175 square-metre.

That is what my current unit is at Tower 9 #37-05, Phase 2 Central Park in downtown Beijing CBD. The lease expires 30 Apr 08.

Therefore we have about 8months to decide if we need a new apartment with Nadine's arrival and my mom staying with us come March 08. My mom is officially retiring (FINALLY!!!) in Dec with Nadine's arrival into this wonderful world. Good for my mom, she is really tired and she has been working so hard all her life. I am so thankful that we are finally able to keep her from working and give her a new task of taking care of her grand-daughter. God is so good! Joshua is great! You cannot imagine how much effort he took (financial management & spreadsheet calculation) painstakingly since 6mths ago to start planning for my parent's retirement. yes, even my dad will be coming over to live with us in BJ come Aug 08. He is hesitant and procrastinating the shift citing reasons like not being able to find a kopi-tiam to drink his kopi-O (thick), eat roti prata, D24 durians and all....so anyhow, he will come in Aug 08. We are still trying to persuade him to come earlier...

Anyhow, back to the apartment.

Yes, we went house-viewing this morning. Also in Central Park. Boy! the new Phase 3 are so beautiful! We saw a couple of units. Particularly, a 4-bedroom was so stylishly designed and the owner had it all set up for the future tenants with details like wine glasses, dinner napkins and all. I was so mesmerised....but the price was even "better" ...estimated to be about US$6000+!!! Siao or what....it blows our budget but still, it was great just to "see".

Then we came to a 3+1. 3 bed room with 1 study. It was PERFECT in our opinion. Rental was lower at USD3,200, 190 square metre, #02 floor plan at level 15 (I think...). Master bedroom came with a drooling setup of 2 washing basins, shower unit and bath tub. We can convert the mini study into Nadine's play room. And...Store Room! (which is exactly what we need) and even the rooms for my parents came with attached bathroom! (If i remember correctly, hormonal changes are making me more forgetful these days...EXCUSES!!)

Now, option 2 is a mini-4bedroom at 218 square metres #07 floor plan. Rental is more steep - USD4,500. Still can consider but really got to think and pray hard before we can take this option. Great setup...even with a balcony and for sure, attached bathrooms in 2 bedrooms inclusive of the master of course. Maid's room which potentially we can convert that into a store room. This is ideal but the rental price, gotta consider again.

We may potentially have an option 3. Cedric & Jean's phase 1 apartment at 188square-metres. Huge master bedroom (big enough for Nadine's cot and play area...yes, that huge). Master bedroom came with a drooling setup of 2 washing basins, shower unit and bath tub. Just that no store room...But rental may be less than USD2,800. Most economical and acceptable too. Available unit but we shall see if his owner is willing to wait 8mths for us.

My Jurong West apartment is only 113 square metres, my existing unit is 175 square metre....so question is : Do We really need another BIGGER apartment?? Godliness with contentment is great gain. We seriously need to plan, think, budget (do more excel spreadsheets) and PRAY for wisdom.

Pray with us.

Waiting for Nadine to arrive...I am 22 weeks today!

Praise the Lord!

I eat all the time

Brekkie
I wake up literally thinking about brekkie...

Usually this is huge : bran cereal with skim milk / ham & cheese sandwich with sundried tomatoes, juice and fruit. I don't like fruit & dairy products at all & I eat almost nothing of these categories of food before I'd na-na but now with her, I swallow it nonetheless!

Lunch
At 1045am, I start concocting my lunch menu

If i had a choice, I would like hokkien fried noodles, sliced fish porridge, bah chor mee poh with lots of chilli & vinegar, lor mee or mee tai bak with ketchup. All these are "impossible food" which i can never find in Beijing, my compromise is "Golden Lake" 金湖茶餐厅 menu of macaroni soup, wanton noodles, seafood hor fun or si-chiap bee hoon.

Tea-snack
By 430pm, I am snacking but nowadays, I disciplined my flesh to eat low fat fruit, banana, carrot sticks or wholewheat crackers only. Still it is EATING

Dinner
I have to eat by 7pm, latest. Anything later than that results in heartburn or indigestion.

Need i go on? I am just eating all the time!

Nadine Lim

59.2kg.

That is what the scale say at 21 weeks this morning when i weigh myself at 8am. Put on another 200g overnight! I am getting rounder and fatter by the day. Never knew i could put on so much weight in this frame of merely 1.59m. I am really praying that all the weight gain will go STRAIGHT to Nadine (yes, that is the name we both like and have started calling her na-na) instead of residing on my arms & thighs! Must go to Marie France if I get grossly out of shape. Quite frankly, anything is worth it for my little girl as long as she is healthy & strong.

Nadine kinda responded well to that name whenever we talk to her. She gets particularly active whenever we watched city harvest service online especially during worship and preaching time. She liked Joyce Meyer's preaching. She was literally leaping last weekend when we attended both services online over the weekend. Nightly when Josh reads proverbs to her, chapter by chapter...she seemed to be listening intently and that brings tremendous excitement and joy to our heart.

The last scan in Beijing United was really much clearer than that in Gleneagles with Dr Fong. She has long limbs and finds great pleasure strangely in staring at her small hands. She seemed to be always in that "reading" position. Twice we saw her in that position instead of lying down. Whatever it is, as long as she is healthy, mom & dad will be glad.

Praying for her to get bigger each day, healthily. Can't wait to see her in late Dec... :)

Rom 4:3

"...Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness."

Believe. That is what our christian faith is anchored upon. It is amazing how easily at times we fail to remind ourselves that. We allow the complication of life anxieties, circumstances, pressures and cares of this world choked out this perspective of having to simply believe. God has a wonderful way of reminding us that He alone is sufficient. He is simple, we are the complicated ones. All Jesus wanted was our total trust and allegiance to Him. That was the only thing Abraham held onto - his faith, his belief. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being FULLY convinced that what He had promised, He was also able to perform.

What a great man of faith. No wonder God calls Abraham His friend. As I meditate on this, I felt the assurance and peace of God. It is a revelation unveiling before me again.

Beijing International Christian Fellowship (BICF)

May 1 marked the one year anniversary since Josh and I both moved to Beijing.

Strangely it doesn't seemed that long but in the odd sense, it also felt like it has seemed to be much longer. Many reasons goes into it..one being that we have been travelling a lot both within and outside china for work and time just flew by. I made many trips back to Singapore, often for work (again) but each time to replenish my prune juices, trashy women magazines, curries, sauces, otah, personal care products and necessities. Most of all, each trip was a time of rejunvenation at church because spiritually we have been both under-nourished. It is a scary thought to backslide and become nonchalant with the things of God but if we are not careful and many times we found ourselves coming that close to being so cold, so distant. Whom do we have with us now that cell group, members, pastoral care and all seemed so far away, almost non-existent. We are not complaining because we know what is in stored for us when we made the decision to leave and settle into china. Quite on the contrary, we are glad we are here in china for many reasons.

We both left the local chinese church after attending there for several months. The expectations to serve and give are insummountable. There is the outflow but never the inflow where we felt ministered and pastored. Guess that is not the equation for us. After being there and doing whatever we could to help, serve, fellowship and everything....Can you believe that until today, the cell leader has never called us or even initiate to spend time with us. Even when we decided to leave, we have to take the initiative to arrange a dinner with her, pick her from her home and be accountable for the reasons why we choose to exit. I think the decision is correct.

Now, We have attended BICF for the last 7weeks already. We are not comparing but we like it there better. I am scheduled to be serving in the worship team this sunday and I am excited to be able to sing for the Lord. To start with doing the most insignificant so that I can start feeling part of this church family that I am yearning to belong to. I signed up for cell group with BICF in my 2nd week and they are planning on it now for our allocation. I am looking forward, really. It has been a year of almost going nowhere and I cannot imagine how Moses did 40yrs with the children of israel. Had it not for the internet service, Joshua's constant encouragement, Jo's friendship and above all, God's faithfulness we would have parched to death spiritually. But thank God, in all things....He made all things beautiful in His time.

Hopefully things will work out well in BICF and we will be planted in the house of God. This time, properly nurtured.

平谷Outing with Matthew

Nasi Lemak

Camera not very good lah but the essence remains! Home cooked nasi lemak. Brought back pandan leaves & otah from Singapore. Invited Cedric & Jean (beijing Singaporeans) to "contribute" ikan billis and their sambal chilli!

Nasi Lemak International style

1. Thai Rice with Pandan leaves (flown in from Singapore)

2. Fried Egg (beijing organic egg)

3. Otah (flown in from Singapore)

4. Ikan Billis (flown in from Thailand)

5. Chicken Wings (Carrefour .... so does it make it French?!)

6. Sambal Chilly (HK receipe)

水煮活鱼 : 俏江南(国贸总店)

Pst Tan was asking me for recommendations to eat 水煮活鱼 and this is the place i found. Reasonable price and really good!

Website : http://www.dianping.com/shop/508232

俏江南(国贸总店)
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别名: South Beauty地址: 朝阳区建国门外大街1号国贸西楼2层L220号
电话: 010-65050809 65052288—80220

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his absence brought HIS PRESENCE

I have been so occupied the last 10 weeks. I concluded 2006 with my family and kickstarted 2007 with fireworks, celebrating the lunar new year in style with fireworks (not crackers!) in Beijing. Much as gone into the 10weeks and it would be injustice just to let a great testimony pass without sharing it with you who is reading this right now of all that has happened (well at least in brief) during christmas 2006.

Going back to Singapore during christmas was a planned holiday. We had originally planned to go back to do so much...kickstart golf sport with a 4-lesson session, catch up with everybody in church, enjoy continuous lunch, coffee, dinner, suppers and roti-pratas catchup sessions with everybody back home with a roundup of attending ryan & andrea's wedding. In between, what was most important was to visit my grandfather who has been critically ill since late october. While we prayed and believed God for a miracle but at the same instance, we are just as mentally prepared for the Lord to do what is best deemed fit because we know that regardless of what the outcome maybe for grandfather, God knows the best. Indeed His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts supercedes ours. Grandfather passed away on christmas eve, 24th Dec 2006 and went back to be with the Lord in Heaven....To comfort my mom, I told her that grandfather had found favour in God's eyes so much so that Jesus wanted him to be in heaven celebrating christmas with the angels....until today, i believed that was more than a comfort, that was the truth.

I vividly remembered receiving a call from my mom at work at about 1225pm and the moment i heard her trembling voice, i knew exactly what she was about to say. There was tremendous amount of tension, stress and everybody was apparently grieved. Some handled it at their stride but there were many insensitive exchange of words which unfortunately I became a part of in one of the conversations. However, all things worked together for good....by applying God's grace and wisdom in those situations helped and things turned around. By withholding our opinionated criticisms, extending grace and forgiveness, i am amazed at how it was able to resolve all unhappiness and conflicts in the family. My distraughted aunt came to me at the 3rd day of the wake to apologise but more than that she being an unbeliever gave the Lord the glory , believing that the Lord has given us the wisdom to know how to handle the situation most rationally and in love instead of being judgemental. For that, God deserves the praise.

The dialect church pastor from Church of Singapore (COS) touched my mother and her 8 siblings so deeply simply by being there every night at the wake. He did not just conduct another regular funeral service but he demonstrated his pastoral love and genuine care by going the extra mile ... from finding a columbarium for the ashes placement to reaching out to my uncles, aunties and cousins who were there individually by spending time fellowshipping with them nightly. And because they were all so ministered and touched by the ministry of COS, all of them attended the first service in Jan 2007. What a phenonmenal start to the year by spending the first sunday of the year in church, as a family. I don't know about you but I was so blessed just thinking about it even right now. My first uncle who is the most hardened and staunched taoist gave his heart to Jesus after the 2nd weekend service and as I am writing this blog right now, he is preparing to give his conversion testimony in church tomorrow at service. We were thrilled just celebrating his salvation. Now there are 4 of them saved...my mom, aunt betty, uncle lawrence and first uncle, I believe all my other uncles and aunties will come to know the Lord very soon. Act 16:31 is coming to pass very soon. Praise the Lord

Yeah and before i forget........... to those who came to my grandfather's funeral wake...thanks so much. Your presence meant so much to me, joshua and my family.

Grandfather may be absent today physically in our midst but his passing away brought God's presence into the family. That in itself is something we can rejoice despite us missing him deeply. Having shared all, what can i say but God is good all the time & all the time, God is good.

Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

Some photos we took at the DMZ. See, i am getting lazy writing but phots & pictures paint a thousand words!!! Bear with me, i will be back with more updates hopefully soon!

龙庆霞冰雕

Trying to look good and pose in the enclosed heated car before i get all wrapped up when i step into the ice-snow mountain!















This is how cold it is! Josh is all wrapped up like South-park kenny!! haha!! He looks so cute, doesn't he!









These are real snow & it is literally a frozen snow mountain! If you stare hard into the photo, 江泽明did the opening for this tourist attraction. It is about 2hrs drive from where we live. It may be a long drive but was a comfortable ride with the heating system in the car, i have absolutely NO complaints!










These are real ice cravings and it was so well made. You see the houses of 三只小猪! What's more, they craved a condensed version of disney land inside the mountain! And everything is life-size!